Color stable inks and applications thereof

Abstract

In one aspect, inks for use with a 3D printer are described herein. In some embodiments, an ink comprises a polymerizable material and a reactive wax comprising a saturated alkyl moiety bonded to an ethyleneically unsaturated moiety through a urethane, urea, ester, or carbonate ester linkage, wherein the ink is free or substantially free of non-reactive wax.

That which is claimed: 
     
       1. A method of preventing development of a white residue on a surface of a three-dimensionally printed article, the method comprising:
 selectively depositing layers of a fluid ink to form the article on a substrate, the ink comprising:
 a polymerizable material comprising one or more species of (meth)acrylates; and 
 a reactive wax comprising a saturated alkyl moiety bonded to an ethylenically unsaturated alkyl moiety through a urethane linkage, 
 
 
       wherein the ink is free or substantially free of non-reactive wax, 
       wherein the article when cured does not develop a white surface residue when aged under ambient conditions for 3 months to 1 year or when heated to a temperature greater than a melting point of the reactive wax, and 
       wherein the reactive wax comprises the reaction product of an isocyanatoalkyl (meth)acrylate having 2-18 carbon atoms in its alkyl chain and a fatty alcohol having 4-36 carbon atoms in its alkyl chain. 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ink when cured exhibits a tensile modulus of 2300 MPa to 2800 MPa when measured according to ASTM D 638. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ink when cured exhibits a break elongation of 25% to 40% when measured according to ASTM D 638. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ink when cured exhibits a heat deflection temperature ranging from 105° C. to 120° C. when tested according to ASTM D 648. 
     
     
       5. A method of preventing development of a white residue on a surface of a three-dimensionally printed article, the method comprising:
 selectively depositing layers of a fluid ink to form the article on a substrate, the ink comprising:
 a polymerizable material comprising one or more species of (meth)acrylates; and 
 a reactive wax comprising a saturated alkyl moiety bonded to an ethylenically unsaturated alkyl moiety through a urethane linkage, 
 
 
       wherein the ink is free or substantially free of non-reactive wax, 
       wherein the article when cured does not develop a white surface residue when aged under ambient conditions for 3 months to 1 year or when heated to a temperature greater than a melting point of the reactive wax, and 
       wherein the reactive wax comprises a chemical species of Formula (II): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein x is an integer from 0 to 34, y is an integer from 1 to 17, and R is H or CH 3 . 
     
     
       6. A method of preventing development of a white residue on a surface of a three-dimensionally printed article, the method comprising:
 selectively depositing layers of a fluid ink to form the article on a substrate, the ink comprising:
 a polymerizable material comprising one or more species of (meth)acrylates; and 
 a reactive wax comprising a saturated alkyl moiety bonded to an ethylenically unsaturated alkyl moiety through a urea linkage, 
 
 
       wherein the ink is free or substantially free of non-reactive wax, 
       wherein the article when cured does not develop a white surface residue when aged under ambient conditions for 3 months to 1 year or when heated to a temperature greater than a melting point of the reactive wax, and 
       wherein the reactive wax comprises a chemical species of Formula (III): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein x is an integer from 0 to 34, y is an integer from 1 to 17, and R is H or CH 3 . 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the reactive wax exhibits a melting point range centered between 50° C. and 80° C. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ink comprises a plurality of reactive waxes. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the ink further comprises one or more additives selected from the group consisting of photoinitiators, inhibitors, stabilizing agents, sensitizers, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the reactive wax exhibits a melting point range centered between 50° C. and 80° C. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the ink comprises a plurality of reactive waxes. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the ink further comprises one or more additives selected from the group consisting of photoinitiators, inhibitors, stabilizing agents, sensitizers, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the reactive wax exhibits a melting point range centered between 50° C. and 80° C. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the ink comprises a plurality of reactive waxes. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the ink further comprises one or more additives selected from the group consisting of photoinitiators, inhibitors, stabilizing agents, sensitizers, and combinations thereof.